Time Related Subjunctive

Looking at words like ‘cuando’ as a subjunctive trigger.

Time clauses like cuando, en cuanto (“as soon as”) and una vez que (“once”) can look like triggers.

They’re not; they’re linking words/phrases between two clauses.

These sentences are subjunctive because they follow the basic subjunctive rules:

  • 2 clauses / 2 subjects
  • Real / not real

Time Related Subjunctive

Time phrases can look like triggers, like these:

  • cuando,
  • en cuanto (“as soon as”) and
  • una vez que (“once”)

Introducing ‘avísame’ – avisar – informal command.
In Mexico, avisar is the go-to verb for “let me know / give me a heads-up / tell me.”

Avísame cuando quieras ir a la playa.
1. Advise me / 2. cuando quieras ir a la playa
1. Me / 2. you
1. Hasn’t happened yet / 2. hasn’t happened yet – choose subjunctive

Avísame cuando estés listo.
1. Advise me / 2. cuando estés listo.
1. Me / 2. You
1. Hasn’t happened yet / 2. Hasn’t happened yet – choose subjunctive

The above 2 examples follow the ‘not real’ rule. 

Here’s one that follows a ‘real’ rule:

Siempre me llama cuando llega a casa. He always calls me when he gets home.
1. Siempre me llama / 2. Cuando llega a casa
1. He / 2. He – same subject
1. Actually happens (real) / 2. Habitual action (real) – indicative

Not Real Rule

Cenaremos cuando Juan llegue. We will eat when Juan arrives.

Pensamos ir a la playa cuando deje de llover. We plan to go to the beach when it stops raining.

pensar + infinitive is a super common way to talk about plans or intentions.

Dejar de – to stop doing something

Real V Not Real

Which one is which?

Cuando recibas el mensaje envíamelo.

Siempre nos levantamos cuando suena la alarma.

A Nice Sentence Starter

Inf: Cuando tengas tiempo… ?me haces un favor?

F: Cuando tenga tiempo… ?me hace un favor?

Other Subjunctive Time Framers

En cuanto … llegue Juan, empezamos la reunión.
As soon as …

Una vez que … tengas la información.
Once (when) …

Antes de que Juan llegue, suelo limpiar la casa.

Perfect, you want raw English-only sentences that naturally would trigger subjunctive in Spanish with those three phrases (cuando, en cuanto, una vez que). Here are 12 everyday, conversational ones:

  1. Call me when you get to the airport.
  2. Text me as soon as you know the answer.
  3. Once she finishes work, we’ll head out.
  4. I’ll tell you the story when we meet up.
  5. As soon as I hear something, I’ll let you know.
  6. Once they arrive, we can start dinner.
  7. I’ll help you when you need it.
  8. Let’s talk about it when you have time.
  9. You can borrow the car once you get your license.
  10. I’ll remind you as soon as I see you tomorrow.
  11. We’ll go shopping when it stops raining.
  12. Once he calls me, I’ll feel better.

Imperfect Subjunctive

Storytelling

I told him to advise me when he arrived.
Le dije que me avisara cuando llegara.
1. I told him to advise me / 2. When he arrived
1. fact done / 2. not happened – past subjunctive

There is no preterite Subjunctive, so it’s always an imperfect subjunctive.

Imperfect subjunctive suffixes: –ra, –ras, –ra, –ramos, –ran

Formula

[Past-tense main clause] + that + [different subject] + [“would / could / should” idea]

Give me 10 very simple sentences in english that will need an imperfect subjunctive, not necessarily to do with time, make them conversational and everyday, no spanish, no clues. start with a formula.

Alright 👍 let’s build it with a formula first so you can see the pattern, then I’ll give you 10 clean English sentences.

Formula

[Past-tense main clause] + that + [different subject] + [“would / could / should” idea]

Imperfect subjunctive suffixes: –ra, –ras, –ra, –ramos, –ran

10 Simple Sentences (everyday, conversational)

  1. She wanted me to stay longer. Ella quier’io
  2. They asked us to close the window.
  3. I told him to call me later.
  4. We hoped she would bring dessert.
  5. He insisted that I sit down.
  6. My parents wished I would study more.
  7. The teacher asked the kids to be quiet.
  8. I needed you to explain it again.
  9. They preferred that we take the bus.
  10. She suggested that he wait outside.

👉 All of these follow:

  • Main verb in the past (wanted, asked, told, hoped, insisted…)
  • Different subject in the second clause
  • → Which in Spanish = imperfect subjunctive.

Preterite Querer

  • yo quise
  • tú quisiste
  • él / ella / usted quiso
  • nosotros/as quisimos
  • ellos / ellas / ustedes quisieron